Caregiving is a demanding and all-encompassing role, that is often overlooked. Nearly 1 in 5 Americans provide unpaid care to adults with health or functional needs with an increase from 43.5 million in 2015 to 53 million in 2020.
Over half of this population is also working full-time jobs and have reported that their mental health needs have suffered because of caregiving responsibilities. Caregivers have less time to take care of themselves, creating more susceptibility to depression, mood swings, sleep deprivation, and resentment.
Recognizing and acknowledging the signs of caregiver stress and burnout is the first step in taking charge of your well-being. Below are five tips to help caregivers thrive!
- Take Regular Breaks: Check in with yourself each day. Whether this is 10 minutes of your time to meditate or a 20-minute walk. Make sure to establish a routine that helps you to feel revitalized. It takes time and energy to be a caregiver, make sure to accommodate alone time too.
- Ask For Help: Don’t try to do everything alone – this will ultimately lead to burnout and resentment. Allow individuals in your family or community to aid in the process. Write down a list of tasks that another person could help to do, like bringing over dinner, going grocery shopping, running errands, or making appointments for your loved one. If your family is asking to help, sit down and brainstorm tasks and responsibilities. Don’t wait until you are too overwhelmed before reaching out.
- Nourish Your Mental and Physical Health: Regular exercise, eating a healthy diet, getting a good night’s rest, taking regular breaks, and maintaining a social life will help in recharging your battery. Incorporate healthy habits into your daily life such as mindful deep breathing, meditation, morning walks, and getting regular sunshine. Fill your cup so that you have enough to give to someone else.
- Simplify Your Life: Things take a lot more time than you may expect. Allowing time for managing unexpected hiccups along the way can help decrease stress and anxiety throughout the day. Learn to say “No.” Listen to your instinct about whether to take on additional responsibility.
- Stay Socially Connected: Make socialization a regular habit. Keep in touch with friends and family. Attend a caregiver support group. Your physical and mental health flourish with socialization. Plus, it makes life much more enjoyable.
MyAdvisor care coordinators are dedicated to serving those who serve others. The goal of every program is to target the root of a problem and dissolve the issue by utilizing one or more of MyAdvisor’s resources.
Want to know what other services we offer? Check out our website https://www.threewiresys.com/care-coordination/myadvisor
